On this auspicious occasion, I would like to speak for all the miscreants here and pay respectful homage to you, our benefactor.

--------------It's natural to be curious about our world, but the scientific method is just one theory about how to best understand it. †We live in a democracy, which means we should treat every theory equally. - Steven Colbert, I Am America (and So Can You!)

--------------"The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie--deliberate, contrived, and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. †Belief in myths allows the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."-John F. Kennedy

--------------Flesh of the sky, child of the sky, the mindHas been obligated from the beginningTo create an ordered universeAs the only possible proof of its own inheritance. † † † † † † † † † † † † - Pattiann Rogers

--------------"[A scientific theory] describes Nature as absurd from the point of view of common sense. And it agrees fully with experiment. So I hope you can accept Nature as She is - absurd."- Richard P. Feynman

I had a good day. There was progress on current projects. I had a remote job interview via video on iChat that went well. I had dinner with my wife and friends at the Okemos Olive Garden restaurant. We retired to watch "The Dark Knight" on DVD, pausing occasionally for me to take phone calls wishing me a happy birthday.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, and thanks for being part of the community here.

We might have to consider a single Birthday thread. If we don't, we'll have a few hundred threads here dedicated to that. On the flipside, once we get that list populated, it won't increase much, since next year's birthdays can be celebrated in last year's thread. Up for discussion.

We might have to consider a single Birthday thread. If we don't, we'll have a few hundred threads here dedicated to that. On the flipside, once we get that list populated, it won't increase much, since next year's birthdays can be celebrated in last year's thread. Up for discussion.

We could do one thread for each year.

"2009 Birthdays", "2010 Birthdays", etc.

--------------Lou FCD is still in school, so we should only count him as a baby biologist. -carlsonjok -deprecatedI think I might love you. Don't tell Deadman -Wolfhound

We might have to consider a single Birthday thread. If we don't, we'll have a few hundred threads here dedicated to that. On the flipside, once we get that list populated, it won't increase much, since next year's birthdays can be celebrated in last year's thread. Up for discussion.

We could do one thread for each year.

"2009 Birthdays", "2010 Birthdays", etc.

Sounds good.

--------------"It's as if all those words, in their hurry to escape from the loony, have fallen over each other, forming scrambled heaps of meaninglessness." -damitall

That's so fucking stupid it merits a wing in the museum of stupid. -midwifetoad

We might have to consider a single Birthday thread. If we don't, we'll have a few hundred threads here dedicated to that. On the flipside, once we get that list populated, it won't increase much, since next year's birthdays can be celebrated in last year's thread. Up for discussion.

Do multiple threads take up more storage space than one thread with an equal number of comments?

--------------It's natural to be curious about our world, but the scientific method is just one theory about how to best understand it. †We live in a democracy, which means we should treat every theory equally. - Steven Colbert, I Am America (and So Can You!)

--------------Mysticism is a rational enterprise. Religion is not. The mystic has recognized something about the nature of consciousness prior to thought, and this recognition is susceptible to rational discussion. The mystic has reason for what he believes, and these reasons are empirical. --Sam Harris

--------------"Rich is just mad because he thought all titties had fur on them until last week when a shorn transvestite ruined his childhood dreams by jumping out of a spider man cake and man boobing him in the face lips." - Erasmus

Happy BD to both, and may you enjoy many more trips of the sun around the earth. Errm, I think I got that right.

--------------Flesh of the sky, child of the sky, the mindHas been obligated from the beginningTo create an ordered universeAs the only possible proof of its own inheritance. † † † † † † † † † † † † - Pattiann Rogers

btw wtf is up with the dates on this board? I'm reading it as next Sunday already...

--------------"But it's disturbing to think someone actually thinks creationism -- having put it's hand on the hot stove every day for the last 400 years -- will get a different result tomorrow." -- midwifetoad

OH. Heh heh. Never mind. This is 2010, isn't it. Wonder how Roy Sheider's making out with that spaceship thingy.

--------------"But it's disturbing to think someone actually thinks creationism -- having put it's hand on the hot stove every day for the last 400 years -- will get a different result tomorrow." -- midwifetoad

I'll be celebrating by going to the Florida Citizens for Science annual meeting on the USF campus in Tampa.

But I'll get to get together with my parents in the evening. It is nice being in the same state with family.

I've never actually seen the "science club" excuse work. Good luck with that.

--------------It's natural to be curious about our world, but the scientific method is just one theory about how to best understand it. †We live in a democracy, which means we should treat every theory equally. - Steven Colbert, I Am America (and So Can You!)

--------------The majority of the stupid is invincible and guaranteed for all time. The terror of their tyranny is alleviated by their lack of consistency. -A. Einstein †(H/T, JAD)
If evolution is true, you could not know that it's true because your brain is nothing but chemicals. ?Think about that. -K. Hovind

Well, as promised, some pics of me and my girl Alicja at Stonehenge. It's a bit less impressive than I expected, and due to the actual fences forbiding access to the stones the "mystic" is quite downplayed. Oh, and 6.60 pounds just to get there!

All in all, it was a nice birthday. And yesterday we went to Brighton. Lovely!

--------------"Hail is made out of water? Are you really that stupid?" Joe G

"I have a better suggestion, Kris. How about a game of hide and go fuck yourself instead." Louis

"The reason people use a crucifix against vampires is that vampires are allergic to bullshit" Richard Pryor

--------------"[A scientific theory] describes Nature as absurd from the point of view of common sense. And it agrees fully with experiment. So I hope you can accept Nature as She is - absurd."- Richard P. Feynman

--------------"But it's disturbing to think someone actually thinks creationism -- having put it's hand on the hot stove every day for the last 400 years -- will get a different result tomorrow." -- midwifetoad

Last time I went to Stonehenge I mananged to get myself and my American chums kicked out. The rope fence is very small and eminently crossable and we were young and curious. I can testify that the view from the centre of the stones is very impressive....at least until some irate druid/English Heritage lady kicked us out. She was amazingly sceptical of our claim we were taking photos for my friend's dying mum. A little harsh we felt.

--------------"But it's disturbing to think someone actually thinks creationism -- having put it's hand on the hot stove every day for the last 400 years -- will get a different result tomorrow." -- midwifetoad

(Louis, looking at your story from last year about Stonehenge makes me think of Withnail and I. I dunno why, it just does.)

--------------"But it's disturbing to think someone actually thinks creationism -- having put it's hand on the hot stove every day for the last 400 years -- will get a different result tomorrow." -- midwifetoad

(Louis, looking at your story from last year about Stonehenge makes me think of Withnail and I. I dunno why, it just does.)

SCRUBBERS!!!!!!

I love that film, you should play the drinking game sometime. It hurts. Personally I think substituting out the lighter fluid is for weaklings and IDCists (but I repeat myself).

For those who do not know these things, a Camberwell Carrot is a very large, marijuana cigarette, formed into a conical, or carrot like shape.

I, of course, as a clean living, responsible and well respected member of society do not advocate the consumption of any of these things. However, if anyone wants to attempt it, I am available at my club the third Thursday of every month to give it a bloody good try. What!

Oh yes, and happy birthday to Wes and that French bloke. May your fruits ever be loinful and your ups always pecker. Or something like that.

--------------"[A scientific theory] describes Nature as absurd from the point of view of common sense. And it agrees fully with experiment. So I hope you can accept Nature as She is - absurd."- Richard P. Feynman

--------------It's natural to be curious about our world, but the scientific method is just one theory about how to best understand it. †We live in a democracy, which means we should treat every theory equally. - Steven Colbert, I Am America (and So Can You!)

Thanks, folks! I'm still in the grip of some virus or other picked up when I visited Vegas earlier this month. It's just me and Beka, the mini-dachshund, here for what festivities we might get up. Fortunately, I do have a bottle of sangria for me, and there's various dog treats around to help make Beka happy. If a mini-dachshund can get happier than having six acres of Florida bush to sniff around in.

Thanks, folks! I'm still in the grip of some virus or other picked up when I visited Vegas earlier this month. It's just me and Beka, the mini-dachshund, here for what festivities we might get up. Fortunately, I do have a bottle of sangria for me, and there's various dog treats around to help make Beka happy. If a mini-dachshund can get happier than having six acres of Florida bush to sniff around in.

Dachshund? †DACHSHUND?!

--------------I've found my personality to be an effective form of birth control.

--------------Flesh of the sky, child of the sky, the mindHas been obligated from the beginningTo create an ordered universeAs the only possible proof of its own inheritance. † † † † † † † † † † † † - Pattiann Rogers

Thanks, folks! I'm still in the grip of some virus or other picked up when I visited Vegas earlier this month. It's just me and Beka, the mini-dachshund, here for what festivities we might get up. Fortunately, I do have a bottle of sangria for me, and there's various dog treats around to help make Beka happy. If a mini-dachshund can get happier than having six acres of Florida bush to sniff around in.

Dachshund? †DACHSHUND?!

Huzzah! Someone who actually knows what "dachshund" means!

Anyone who pronounces it like the surname in "Sense and Sensibility" gets a tongue-lashing. And not in a nice way.

--------------"But it's disturbing to think someone actually thinks creationism -- having put it's hand on the hot stove every day for the last 400 years -- will get a different result tomorrow." -- midwifetoad

I, of course, as a clean living, responsible and well respected member of society do not advocate the consumption of any of these things.

Yes, but have you ever gone on holiday by mistake?

--------------"But it's disturbing to think someone actually thinks creationism -- having put it's hand on the hot stove every day for the last 400 years -- will get a different result tomorrow." -- midwifetoad

Thanks, folks! I'm still in the grip of some virus or other picked up when I visited Vegas earlier this month. It's just me and Beka, the mini-dachshund, here for what festivities we might get up. Fortunately, I do have a bottle of sangria for me, and there's various dog treats around to help make Beka happy. If a mini-dachshund can get happier than having six acres of Florida bush to sniff around in.

Dachshund? †DACHSHUND?!

Huzzah! Someone who actually knows what "dachshund" means!

Anyone who pronounces it like the surname in "Sense and Sensibility" gets a tongue-lashing. And not in a nice way.

Beka is a mini-dachshund from rabbit-hunting lines. The critical morphological limit is chest circumference, which defines the smallest hole she can get down. Beka has a 31cm circumference, which puts her just a centimeter too large to be classed as a Kaninchenteckel. She doesn't seem to have become discouraged by this, and chases rabbits anyway.

Thanks, folks! I'm still in the grip of some virus or other picked up when I visited Vegas earlier this month. It's just me and Beka, the mini-dachshund, here for what festivities we might get up. Fortunately, I do have a bottle of sangria for me, and there's various dog treats around to help make Beka happy. If a mini-dachshund can get happier than having six acres of Florida bush to sniff around in.

Dachshund? †DACHSHUND?!

Huzzah! Someone who actually knows what "dachshund" means!

Anyone who pronounces it like the surname in "Sense and Sensibility" gets a tongue-lashing. And not in a nice way.

Beka is a mini-dachshund from rabbit-hunting lines. The critical morphological limit is chest circumference, which defines the smallest hole she can get down. Beka has a 31cm circumference, which puts her just a centimeter too large to be classed as a Kaninchenteckel. She doesn't seem to have become discouraged by this, and chases rabbits anyway.

My wife and I had a cocker spaniel years ago that spotted a "bunny" and took off after it. †When he finally caught it, the "bunny" turned out to be a jack rabbit that kicked him hard enough to sprain the dog's back and dislocate one elbow. †His enthusiasm for chasing bunnies dropped off noticeably after that.

--------------"Creationists think everything Genesis says is true. I don't even think Phil Collins is a good drummer." --J. Carr

Thanks, folks! I'm still in the grip of some virus or other picked up when I visited Vegas earlier this month. It's just me and Beka, the mini-dachshund, here for what festivities we might get up. Fortunately, I do have a bottle of sangria for me, and there's various dog treats around to help make Beka happy. If a mini-dachshund can get happier than having six acres of Florida bush to sniff around in.

Dachshund? †DACHSHUND?!

Huzzah! Someone who actually knows what "dachshund" means!

Anyone who pronounces it like the surname in "Sense and Sensibility" gets a tongue-lashing. And not in a nice way.

Beka is a mini-dachshund from rabbit-hunting lines. The critical morphological limit is chest circumference, which defines the smallest hole she can get down. Beka has a 31cm circumference, which puts her just a centimeter too large to be classed as a Kaninchenteckel. She doesn't seem to have become discouraged by this, and chases rabbits anyway.

My wife and I had a cocker spaniel years ago that spotted a "bunny" and took off after it. †When he finally caught it, the "bunny" turned out to be a jack rabbit that kicked him hard enough to sprain the dog's back and dislocate one elbow. †His enthusiasm for chasing bunnies dropped off noticeably after that.

I always wondered where the terms "car-jacking" and "hijacking" originated.

Thanks, folks! I'm still in the grip of some virus or other picked up when I visited Vegas earlier this month. It's just me and Beka, the mini-dachshund, here for what festivities we might get up. Fortunately, I do have a bottle of sangria for me, and there's various dog treats around to help make Beka happy. If a mini-dachshund can get happier than having six acres of Florida bush to sniff around in.

Dachshund? †DACHSHUND?!

Huzzah! Someone who actually knows what "dachshund" means!

Anyone who pronounces it like the surname in "Sense and Sensibility" gets a tongue-lashing. And not in a nice way.

Beka is a mini-dachshund from rabbit-hunting lines. The critical morphological limit is chest circumference, which defines the smallest hole she can get down. Beka has a 31cm circumference, which puts her just a centimeter too large to be classed as a Kaninchenteckel. She doesn't seem to have become discouraged by this, and chases rabbits anyway.

My wife and I had a cocker spaniel years ago that spotted a "bunny" and took off after it. †When he finally caught it, the "bunny" turned out to be a jack rabbit that kicked him hard enough to sprain the dog's back and dislocate one elbow. †His enthusiasm for chasing bunnies dropped off noticeably after that.

I always wondered where the terms "car-jacking" and "hijacking" originated.

Bunnies with attitude, clearly.

Obvious reference:"Jus' look a' the bones!"

--------------"But it's disturbing to think someone actually thinks creationism -- having put it's hand on the hot stove every day for the last 400 years -- will get a different result tomorrow." -- midwifetoad